What are your travel plans for 2011?
If you are planning a trip this year, but don’t know where to go? You may want to check out the NATAS fair this weekend. According to a press release by Chan Bro
thers Travel, it predicted that with the improving economy, more people would travel this year, as families who used to be too busy or unable to afford tours to more expensive locations in Europe or Japan are now able to afford customised tours.
Furthermore, with the prevalence of all-in-one travel portals nowadays, consumers can seamlessly book flights, hotels, optional tours, transportation, insurance and other travel services at one go.
China, Japan, Europe, Taiwan and Korea were the hot destinations for bookings at a travel fair held by local travel agency Chan Brothers Travel on Sunday.
Popular up-and-coming destinations include South Africa, which is benefiting from post-event inbound tourism from the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Brazil may also be on the list of countries to visit this year as Singapore Airlines will be having thrice-weekly flights between Singapore and Sao Paulo from March 2011. Brazil will also be hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games in 2016.
London could also be high on the list of travellers’ destinations due to the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in April and the fact that it will be hosting the Olympic Games in 2012.
Cruise lovers could also have a wider variety of options, with river cruise ships offering personalised services and themed cruises presenting an unconventional alternative.
Being Singaporeans, food has always been an important part of our travels. Perhaps no surprise then that the popular travel agent said that more Singaporean travellers would be looking to go overseas on food excursions which include both gourmet restaurants and streetside hawker food.
It was also revealed that more travellers are making their travel bookings earlier. More than 40 percent of customers at the Chan Brothers Travel Fair made their bookings at least 60 to 90 days ahead; 25 percent made theirs more than 90 days ahead.
In total, the one-day event not only surpassed Chan Brothers’ initial goal of S$9 million in sales, but it also set a new sales record for the travel agency.
Mr Anthony Chan, group managing director of Chan Brothers Travel, said, ”With timely announcement of the bumper Singapore Budget goodies two days just before the fair being the most generous in years and instilling the feel good factor, such results are not entirely surprising. Our target at the upcoming NATAS fair is S$10 million, 20 per cent above that for the same NATAS fair the previous year.”
With so many options available, and tickets on the cheap with the NATAS Travel Fair coming up this weekend, Singaporeans need not fear running out of travel options in 2011.
Source: Fit to post